Unsung faith

Family and friends release balloons in memory of the late Thomas Serewicz. WEST BOYLSTON – Sunday was a near perfect fishing day on Wachusett Reservoir.

Blue, open skies cascaded down on a smattering of people casting lines into equally blue and open waters. It was the sort of day one would normally find Sterling’s Thomas Serewicz Sr. calmly reeling in a catch of the day.

A ride home from fishing one year ago this past Sunday prevented that. A drunk driver traveling the wrong way at approximately 78 miles per hour on Route I-190 in Worcester killed Serewicz and his friend Stephen Larson, who had returned home from military service in Iraq. The driver, whose blood alcohol level was well over the legal limit, also died.

Family and friends gathered on the anniversary of Serewicz’s death to remember his life and dissuade anyone tempted to drink and drive. A ceremony, shared memories, and the release of about 50 red balloons marked the occasion in the shadow of West Boylston’s Old Stone Church – a fitting area that celebrated the two things that defined his life: faith and fishing.

“Tom’s life mattered to every one of us,” Thomas’s mother Lynne Serewicz told those in attendance. “I miss your face. It shouldn’t end this way.”

“Today’s a painful day for all of us,” said Thomas’s wife Cherise. “Seeing all these people here lifts us up.”

Finding his way

Serewicz, who was raised in Sterling, had a knack for welding that was forged after studying at Monty Tech High School in Fitchburg. His talents took him to employment in Ohio before returning back home in August 2009.

He married Cherise, and together they raised their two sons, Thomas Jr. and Noah. Many remember Thomas as a friend whose sense of humor was infectious.

“He had a very unusual sense of humor, but he was really funny,” said Lynne. “He was loving, generous, and I was so proud of him.”

Proud – for more than just his welding prowess. Lynne said her son had struggles growing up. She said he was picked on regularly and had a difficult time with finding his place in the world.

After a night marked by frustration, Lynne read Thomas a Bible passage that talked of not returning anger for anger.

“A tear came down his cheek and he turned his whole life around,” she said. “We survived together because of the love of family.”

Lynne was scheduled to move in with him shortly before his death. While she never got that chance, Lynne believes she was blessed enough to share a final touching moment. The day of the accident, Lynne gave her son friendly words of wisdom.

“I told him how proud I was of him and that it mattered because you never know when a day might be your last,” she said. “He left a few minutes later. That day and time with him was a gift.”

Lynne said she woke up at around 3:30 a.m. with a jarred feeling. It was approximately the same time and dozens of miles away that the collision occurred. Lynne said coincidence is too great in this case.

“It was an experience I cannot describe,” she said. “It was a gift. I feel it may have been his way of saying goodbye.”

July 17, 2010

Lynne never needed to see the official results from the toxicology report.

Thomas was sober. He had been for more than four years. He attempted to swerve out of the way, but never had a legitimate chance of avoiding the other on-coming car. His death came after a fishing adventure, which was originally cancelled due to severe weather.

“From what I understand, he and Steve caught nothing, but had fun,” said Lynne.

The fateful crash ended Thomas’s life – more than five years after he was hit by a drunk driver for a first time. According to Lynne and Cherise, the intoxicated person who struck Thomas in February 2005 proceeded to return to a nearby bar and ordered another drink after the accident caused a neck injury to Thomas.

The incidents have inspired family and friends to preach about the dangers of drunk driving. The balloons released during the ceremony were chosen red to symbolize MADD’s (Mothers Against Drunk Driving/Destructive Decisions) zero tolerance attitude.

“It’s a stupid choice,” said Cherise. “It is something so preventable. Just don’t do it. Don’t do it.”

“It’s murder,” said Lynne. “That decision a year ago was made and now three lives are gone. This hole in my life is never going to fill in.”

Both women believe talking about Thomas and sharing their story will help turn people off from driving under the influence. At the very least, Cherise says it helps remembering her husband to overcome the emotional drain that may never cease.

“After a year, we have gotten over the shock of it, but I believe reality is even worse,” she said. “We are slowly putting the pieces back, but we know it can’t ever be the same without him.”

Floating

After sharing memories of Thomas, the group walked their red balloons over towards the edge of the reservoir. Friend Elizabeth Graham read a tearful tribute to her late friend moments before they released the balloons. As the red balloons floated away, they sang “Amazing Grace” until they slowly faded from sight.

In the final moments of the solemn ceremony, six-year-old Teddy told the story of catching his first fish at the reservoir – taught by his Uncle Thomas.

“I just threw the line in and said, ‘Uncle Thomas, I caught a fish.’”

Lynne offered up the same suggestion for the balloons.

“Maybe he’ll cast his line from heaven and catch them,” she said. “It would make sense. It’s a great day for fishing.”